Tag: modern rock
August 5, 2024
I missed out on seeing Ilia live, but got the chance to meet & see Zahna (Suzy Martinez) a couple years back. This was always going be one of the hardest SOTDs to pick from a relatively short catalog. Ilia has had so many awesome songs that they are very hard to deem as personal favorites. I chose to go with their earliest incarnation of the band as Ilia changed vocalists 3 times until Zahna came aboard for the final lineup. Check em out if you haven’t already.… Continued →
February 12, 2024
Song of the Day: Roads to Rome - Driving Fast
This is Mike Musick’s band. If you want to more on him specifically, check out his bio on the indie on the move site. Mike’s solo career had some songs chart including Funk#5 & This Town. Also looks like he wrote a bunch of song for mainstream country artists. This modern rock song is pretty catchy so check it out.
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January 13, 2024
Song of the Day: Bottlerockit - See You in Space Tonight vs Duddle a Duh
This British band completely flew under my huge “Christian” music radar. I discovered them through a British website/radio station called CrossRhythms that basically houses tons of Christian artists bios. Anyways, the band reminds me of quirky music akin to Canada’s Hokus Pick or even Believable Picnic or Rhubarb. Great band names I know :). Anyways, the first SOTD was released as a single from their 2nd LP & the 2nd is the first song of their 1st LP. They released a 2nd LP before changing their name to Audiogene.… Continued →
January 12, 2024
Song of the Day: Tonio K. - Without Love
Tonio K. was one of those hard-to-classify artists. He employed elements of rock, alternative, new wave, singer-songwriter, and more. He was too alternative for the mainstream, but not quite weird enough for indie rock. Let’s just call it rock and roll, shall we?
Born in Southern California, the son of Armenian immigrants (born Steven Krikorian), K began his career with garage rock band The Raik’s Progress (who opened for Buffalo Springfield), then played a stint with Buddy Holly’s band the Crickets, but he got his first real break with a publishing deal for Intersong.… Continued →
December 25, 2023
Song of the Day: World Gone Cold - Opposites Attract
This band is a supergroup with members of P.O.D, Demon Hunter, Disciple, Attack Attack & Inhale/Exhale. I have seen all bands except for Attack & Beartooth is on my bucket list. This song has been on various Christian/Mainstream music charts for the past 6 months or so. This song is so darn catchy dont’cha think so?
& Merry Christmas!
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December 13, 2023
Song of the Day: Freshmen 15 vs Wavorly - Social Humiliation vs Madmen
Pop punk Freshmen 15 was an early incarnation of the modern rock Wavorly. Freshmen’s music is very hard to come by, but Wavorly had a pretty good run on Christian rock radio. Check out how much their sound changed.
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December 9, 2023
Song of the Day: WideAwake - Everyday Rockstar
This Christian modern rock band started in Washington state & relocated to Texas. They created 4 LPs & got their start on True Tunes record label. Here is also a live recording of the same SOTD, but also check out the title track to Bigger Than Ourselves & Misfits from their Thread album.
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September 6, 2023
Song of the Day: Random Hero - Lost Cause
This song goes out to all those like myself who have thought life is hopeless sometimes. I think we all feel that way sometimes. Remember to lift your head & talk to the God who created us. He is just a prayer away. I totally want that dude’s dreads also! Also, check out prior drummer Patrick Madsen’s solo stuff. Goes by his creative last name reversed Nesdam! He’s also married to Zahna who is awesome live.
I know the truth, It’s not hard to deny, But somewhere, My heart got lost in the lies, My faith, Is dying to see like you see, I’m on a one-way ticket, To the dark side of me.… Continued →
September 2, 2023
Song of the Day: Collision of Innocense - Took My Place vs In Between
Modern rock band CoI has its roots in Myrtle Beach, SC where I used to hang out a lot back in the day. They have released a slew of singles over the past few years & I keep anticipating a full-length, but have yet to seen one arise. From what I gather the band history branched from 2 different artists: Hands of Elohim which released the awesome song Never Alone & Voices at Midnight (you can read my review of their song Open Wounds on this site also).… Continued →
June 3, 2023
Song of the Day: Worth Dying For - Savior
This modern rock worship band made waves with their Love Riot album. To me they were kinda like Sonic Flood but, with a rockier twist & half female vocals. They changed their named to FearlessBND later.
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May 13, 2023
Song of the Day: Love Like Gravity - Dig
This ministry modern rock band has released many singles that have charted well over the past few years. Their song Adrenaline was even the inspiration for a film of the same name. Their records producers are none other than Petra’s Jim Cooper & Guardian’s Tony Palacios. Check out their latest album Break the Silence.
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April 4, 2023
Song of the Day: Safe Haven - Chasing The Sun
These 3 brothers & a friend band from California burst onto the scene in 2003. I had seen them on compilations, but when this SOTD came out, I immediately thought this is very catchy. It later appeared on one of the God’s Not Dead movies. Check out the album review on this site that posted September 14, 2012.
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March 6, 2023
Song of the Day: Eowyn - Beautiful Ashes
Yep, Eowyn is part of her real name. I almost had the chance to interview her back in my college days (I did speak with her husband, but ended up graduating before I could schedule it.) She has a very unique voice which can be compared as a cross between Amy Lee & Lacey Sturm & maybe even Tiffany Arbuckle. Anyways, check these lyrics out & her whole catalog. Here’s to hoping we hear more from her.
You’re beautiful
Though you’re ashes you’ll not waste away
So beautiful
Let your eyes see life with scars not decay
When the darkness overwhelms you
And you feel like no one cares
Do not fear
There is a god who loves you
And he is taking your hands
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December 14, 2022
Song of the Day: Kingsdown - In Elegance and Rescue
This Arkansas band was a fave of mine when their The Scenario We Know So Well EP released. Prior songs from their Moments to Monuments were on my radar but this EP blew me away. They reeased a S/T LP that tbh I didn’t really care for which is I am guessing they went from the emoish modern rock sound to a rock n roll band. Anyways hope y’all like it & here are some lyrics.
I was lost at sea
And your gentle touch rescued me
You said you would stay but I was walking away
I heard your voice say come to me
It’s Our Time
I feel so free tonight
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December 5, 2022
Song of the Day: Hammertown - Reborn
This SOTD is unfortunately a memorial to the vocalist from this band. He was sadly killed by a drunk driver. This song Reborn was featured on some Christian radio stations back in the day. The band’s name came from a lake in their hometown. If you want to know more about them, follow the following link.
https://archive.org/details/HAMMERTOWN
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December 3, 2022
Song of the Day: EveReady - Live Completely
I apologize in advance, but here is a very obscure band that I found through an old Christian online radio station playlist. Wish I had more, but from what I gather their only other song was called For What’s It’s Worth. This song is pretty catchy imho. Maybe someone someday reading this will know more about them than I do. I don’t even know if their name is spelled right.
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November 28, 2022
Song of the Day: Tenderfoot - Paid in Full
This band formed from the ashes of early emo band Dear Ephesus. The musical aspects dive into more modern rock. Appears they reformed under Tenderfoot to fulfill their contract with their record label & to reach a more versatile market outside the “Christian” industry. Anyways, also check out #1 & Low Road to Heaven also.
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November 26, 2022
Song of the Day: Rock N Worship Circus - Gift of Cool
This band formed from a church worship band. They were one of the first modern rock worship bands I think. They had a tight modern rock sound & had songs on Christian edgier radio stations including Ride, Undiscovered. They have since changed their name to The Listening. Gabe Wilson has worked with many musical endeavors over the years also.
These lyrics are awesome!
I remember the day
When the love of God landed in our town
He took all the silent and broken hearts
And fixed them up and gave them a sound
He had almost every different kind of kid
From every different kind of social background
Taking all the cool they had and praising God
As He spun them around, it’s when God came to town
And the people in our churches, they were constantly amazed
At the kids kneeling at the altar with their different fashion flavors
You had squares and preps and skater punks, Goths and techno-ravers
And the tattooed kids with the colored hair
And they were all getting saved
You think the sixties had good vibrations?… Continued →
November 21, 2022
Song of the Day: Forever Moon - Refined
Forever Moon was a modern rock band that released an EP & full length before disbanding from what I gather. I bought the EP, but now it runs for around $100 from what I’ve seen. They were reminiscent of the early 2000s era that “Christian” rock stations played on edgier stations with rock shows. Win You Over was their other main song.
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November 9, 2022
Song of the Day: Beth Hall - Send Down The Fire vs Fuel4Soul - Keep The Faith
Beth Hall has branched out from her band Fuel4Soul for this song. It has a modern rock vibe & the lyrics are chock full of worship energy . The song has hit Christian rock radio this past week so check it out. Also check out Fuel4Soul’s song Keep The Faith.
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July 30, 2022
Introducing: The Rocky Valentines (Ft. C. Martin of Starflyer 59)
I am going to take a moment and introduce you all to a brand new band featuring C. Martin who is the son of Jason Martin (and also a current member) of Starflyer 59. The new band is called “The Rocky Valentines”. The debut single “Off & On” will debut on August 19th via Velvet Blue Music with the full Self Titled EP out on September 2nd 2022. From the sounds of the preview video below, it is both classic and modern, alluring and full of melodies and sounds that his father I’m sure must be super proud of.… Continued →
July 27, 2022
Song of the Day: Icon For Hire - Cynics vs Critics Vs Get Well
Icon has been on the scene for a few years now. Their first LP released on T&N. I heard of them as I had worked at a TV station in Decatur, IL where they are from. I know they have moved away from their Christian scene, but these songs are still really good. Also check out their latest song Ready For Combat which has landed on mainstream radio.
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July 13, 2022
Song of the Day: Emery - Walls
So Emery has got some new stuff coming out as we have seen. Seen them live a few time snow & they actually started out in this town I used to live in called Rock Hill, SC, but had moved on unfortunately before I arrived. They have a lot going on but this was their first video & song that brough them to our attention.
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July 11, 2022
Song of the Day: Spoken - This Path vs Through It All
This one goes out to one of my fave bands of all time. Matt Baird is a man ov God. I literally just saw them live yet again 2 days ago & bought some merch off his oldest son! Anyways their LP Echoes is still in my top 20 albums of all time. The other SOTD showcases the cleaner production sound that they became known for. They are still releasing new music so BOLO for new stuff that they played.
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July 10, 2022
Song of the Day: Earthsuit - Schizophreniac
Earthsuit was another one of those bands that didn’t seem to have any counterparts in the Christian music industry. Some of the band members went on to form MuteMath. But hey, great song title right?! Think it’s a play on our sin nature. Maybe someone knows different?
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June 4, 2022
Song of the Day: Don't Wake Aislin vs Veridia -Clear Skies are Hard to Find vs Furious Love
Both bands are modern rock & do a mighty fine job if I might say. Clear Skies used to have a music video but it was pulled before Veridia came to be. I saw Veridia at a Winter Jam at one point. Hope you like the 2 songs as much as I have.
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June 1, 2022
Song of the Day: Simple Mystery - On my Own
Simple Mystery is a band that is from my hometown Normal, Illinois. The 4 piece comprised of Jason, Eric, Jimmy & Chris. Chris you may have heard of from his later band The Frantics & his work with Miss Angie & pop rock/worship group Goodbye Audio. Anyways my buddy Kelly Kerfoot let me borrow the cassette tape & I had looked for this song for many years since my cassette tape bit the dust maybe 20 years ago!
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May 6, 2022
Song of the Day: The New Presidents - Arabian Nights
This obscure little band, while relatively unknown, has ties to some more connected acts. They only released one 4-song 12″ EP before breaking up and/or morphing into other acts. The most well-known member was Robert Vaughn, previously of RV and the Hubcaps, and who went on to play with Gloryhouse, Southside Blades of Eden (Broken Records), and most notably Robert Vaughn and the Shadows.
RV and the Shadows was essentially the New Presidents line-up with a different name and slightly more mainstream style. Where The New Presidents dabbled in new wave and post-punk, The Shadows went full into power pop.… Continued →
May 2, 2022
Song of the Day: Ignescent - Calling Out To You Vs Remnants
Ignescent is a female fronted modern rock band from Chi-town. Their first album was produced by Wyrick in 2008 who had headed up Rugged Records back in the day & released a couple of sweet industrial tinged LPs. Since then, the band has released a bunch more stuff including Remnants which just found its way onto mainstream radio as of 3/31 the day I am writing this. They remind me of older Fireflight. It’s nice to see bands we saw in the Christian market to reach mainstream success imho.… Continued →
March 14, 2022
Song of the Day: Manic Drive - Aimlessly
Manic Drive began as One Cross. Hailing from Canada, they have branched a few genres including modern rock, power pop & dance. They have several good songs & have even toured with Winter Jam. This SOTD has always been my fave & its lyrics elude to how sin has taken a part of him & he wants to be back with Jesus.
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